Dispensing machine



R. c. PRATT DISPENSING MACHINE Feb. 26, 1929.

. 4 ,v 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fag/mend 61 Hui? Wh Ma/ Filed Jan zany/44 4 6W Feb. 26, 1929.

R. C. PRATT DISPENSING MACHINE Filed Jan. 4; 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet I, tl lmlmxcmxm ma lman cm 5 4 5 A Wm W H z 3 U a X M W A. m 2 w 5 y 1 0 a 2 3 1 a 0 a m mm 0 Patented Feb. 26, 1929.

EB; STATE? 1,703,594 PATENT, OFFICE.

RAYMOND C. PRATT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

DISPENSING MACHINE.

' -Application filed January l, 1926. Serial No. 79,098.

This invention relates to dispensing machines, and more particularly to a dispensing machine that may be used for dispensing sheets oi flexible material, such as paper napkins, towels, toilet'paper and similar articles. v

Devices of this sort in which the user has access to the entire pile or stack of sheets or to more than one at a time or in which there is any possibility of accidental or in tentional withdrawing of more sheets than intended to be withdrawn at one time, are wasteful in use.

To provideior the user taking but'one napkin, towel or the like at a time, machines have been providedfor receiving a bundle or stack of sheets, so folded that a portion of the outermost sheet or article extends 1 through or adjacentan outlet or discharge opening in the dispenser to be grasped and withdrawn by the user-and with the articles and packing into the machine is necessary to or sheets sointertolded or interlapped that by withdrawing the outermost article, a portion of the next succeeding article is Withdrawn through or positioned at the outlet, to be grasped and withdrawn later.

These latter devicesrequire specialfolding, which is expensive and careful handling maintain their properinterfolded or interlapped relation. Alsoin these machines it is possible by one withdrawing operation to carry additional sheets with the outermost sheet. which is wasteful and unsatisfa'ctory. I find that in machines of this sort where to withdraw more sheets or articles than'intcndcdto be withdrawn in one operation, it

requiresan additional operation, theaccidental or intentional withdrawing 0t more than necessary from the machine is mini mized and economyinuse ofthe articles is eiiccted. At the same time,-itis desirable that the outermost sheet or the sheets intended to be withdrawn in'one operation he conveniently accessihleand that the succeed ing sheets he moved into position to be with-' drawn with or by the withdrawal of said first sheets. l

It is the object or my invention to provide a generally improved and simplified machine which will do this without requiring special folding ottthe articles and without requiring any particular or special packing or stacking oi them in the machine.

Another Oh ect is to posit vely 'move'th'e ofFigure 1;

and the succeeding'outermost articles into proper relation successively with the with drawal of the articles from the machine, and for exerting a constant pressure upon the stack or bundle of articlestoward the dispensing means or the outlet otthe machine.

To acquaint those skilled. in the art with the manner of constructing and practicing the invention, I shall now describe several emhodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective View ofone embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on' the line 2-2 of Figure 1; i Fig. 3 is a reduced sideelevat-ional view showing the manner of loading the machine Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 44 of Figure 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 55 of Figure 4;

Figures 6 and 7 are persective views of the dispensingv rollers Figures8 and 9 show diagrammatically the manner of withdrawing the sheet and mov-. ing the next sheet into position to be withdrawn; Fig. 10 is a'vertical section, similar to Figure 2, of a modification; f

Fig. ll'is atop plan view of anotherniodik fication; V

" Fig. 12 is a vertical section taken on they line 12-1-12 of Figure 11;

Fig. 13 is a detail vertical section taken" on the line 13'-13 of Figure 11;

- Fig. 14 is a detailhorizontal section taken on the line Pi -14L of Figure 13; I

i Fig. 15 is a front elevational view of an-. other modification; Fig. 16 is a vertical section taken on the line 1616 of Figure 15;

17 is a front elevational view of another modification;

Fig. 18 is a vertical section taken on the line 1818 of Figure 17;

Fig. 19 isad'e'tail vertical section taken on.

the line 119 of Figure 17;

F 1g. 20 1s a perspective view of one form of napkin which the present: inventionis adapted for handling; and

Fig. 21 shows diagrammaticallyanother modification.

The device shown in Figures 1 to 9 inclusive comprises ahase 5 having upstanding sides 6 betweenwhich and within: the base is mounted a casing 8 having closedtbackfi and anopen front 10. The openfront lOis closed by acover or door 1 liinged or pivoted at 13, 13 betweenlugs or ears l-lonthe base 5.

For the purpose of'latching thecover 12 inclosed' position over the open front. of the casing, the upper inturned flange 15of said cover. is provided with an aperture 16 which;

isadaptedto be sprung over and toreceive a latch pin 17 which may he carriedhyr a spring arm .18 anchoredatits opposite end? upon the top ofthe casing 8. To releasethis latch, a.

pin or, other suitable, implement is inserted.

throughgthe.opening lt and the latch pin 17. pressed out of said opening whereupon the cover. or door. is free to be swung into open positionahoutthepivots13, 13. p

The cover or door 12 is provided with a discharge or dispensing opening 20 extendtransversely thereacros s. The edges of the opening 20 may he finished asshewn at 21-. v and ad acent-the open11'ig20-1sthe dispensing mechanism designated generally. at 22..

The dispensing mechan sm. comprises a roller 25rotatablyj ournalledat. 26 in the cove er 12 on one side ofthe outlet or opening;20. This roller. 25 operates with the withdrawal of the outermost sheet or article to-feed' or move the succeedingsheet or, article partially through or at-leastinto position acentthe opening 20 to .be withdrawn the next time.

For the purpose of actuating or turning the roller 25 with the withdi'awatofthe outermost sheet,.a second roller 28-is rotatahly journalled at 29in the cover 12011 the oppo:

site side of the opening 20 and preferably sub stantially parallel with the roller 25.. The

most sheet and is-turned in aclockwise direct10n (Fig. 2), by the withdrawal of the-outermost sheetpor article. Fixed on oneend of roller 28 at all times engagesonly the-outer the roller 28 to turn therewithis arelatively small pinion 32. which meshes vitha relatively large idler 33 suitably jonrnalled at 34:. onthe in-turned. side fiangeof the-cover 12. The gear ineshes with asimilar idler. gear 35WVhiCl1zlll2lY he ofsimilar and similarly journalled at 36 enthe same side flange of the cover. The gear meshes with a pinion 37 fixed on the roller-'25 to turn the same therewith: so that when the-roller is turned by the withdrawal of. the outer sheet ticle. These surfaces 41. and s2 may comprise metal. bands suitably attached peripherally about the roller 25 and provided; with openings 413'struck up therefrom andforming relatively sharp upstanding prongs 4A forengagement with the article. Of course, the particular manner of roughening these rollers .2.5vand 28 \mayhe variechas desired, it being foundpreferable tomake the roller 25 rougher. than the roller 28, int-he, particle lar embodiment of theinvention shown, be cause the inertia and friction which nust be overcome in picking up. and. delivering the secondor succeeding sheet throughthe open ing isgreater than that. which-musthe over.- come in the roller 28in turning the sameby. the withdrawalof the outermost sheet. 7

The upper part of. the stack or bundle of the sheets or articles. which. may comprise. napkins towels or the like, is pressed against an idler roller. extending like the rollers 25 and 28 transversely acrossthe cover andjournalledfor'freerotation at: 53 llLlJlle opposite in-turnedslde flangesof 'the cover. The roller' 52 preferably lies parallel with the rollers 28.and 2,5 and isgpositioned above the roller 28.. It ismerely an. idling equalizing roller for holding the. stack. or bundle properly. positioned inthemachine and its surface. need not be roughened, The body. of the rollers25.

28 and. 52. may be conveniently formed; of

woodmounted:uponsuit-able metal shafts as showmorthismay be varied asdesireca For the purposeof.illustration, the articles or sheetsare shown. asthe usualpaper napkins 55 (Fig. 2.0) well known, in: the art. Thesenapkinsalifi are shown inl igure 20-as folded'between their, endsonlinesof. fold at right; anglesto eachrother to provide the usual quarterv fold as-wellknownin-the art. This. may bevariedrbut. 1t illustrates a. standard fold; and brings out that special. folding or interlapplng-of the sheets is unnecessary. in

the case-ofarticles other-than that,;sincethefold-will.probably. vary,,but. in any event a standardlfold m ay. be employed or the articles need not be folded at'all.

The articles are placed in stack, pile or bundle 52. and thishundle 52.. is placed behindthe dispen means andwithin-the casing of the device, as shown in Figure 2. The'particular disposition of the articlesin the bundle is immaterial and there is ro-interlappingwhich mustbe maintained in plac ing them in the machine; It is preferable that their edges be in alignment, as shown.

For the purpose of forwardly toward the ispensing means 22, the bottom of the casing is inclined, as shown at 58 and a follower 59 is provided. The bundle 52 is guided centrally within the machine toward the front between suitable side members or guides 60 which may be suitably attached'internally to the side walls of the casing 8. The space between the'guides 60 is just sufficient to receive the width of the bundle 52.

The follower 59 comprises a plate member 62 which maybe of substantially the contour of the folded'napkin to fit between the top and bottom of'the case 8 and forgmovement between the side members 60. The plate member 62 is carried adjacent itsupper end by a transverse framemember 63, the opposite ends of which are turned at right angles and carry suitable pins or rollers 64 which operate in suitable inclined tracks 65, one mounted ateach' side-of the casing 8. The tracks 65 are inclined toward the dispensing mechanism and the bottom of the follower plate member 62 is provided with a weight 68 which urges the follower forwardly toward the dispensing mechanism and thereby v exerts a constant pressure upon the bundle 52. and presses the forwardmostsheets or articles into cooperation with the dispensing mechanism. p r i The follower plate member 62 is provided with a shoe 70 pivoted to the plate member 62 at 7 2 and acting upon the rear of the bundle 52 .and thereby forming anequalizing member for equalizing the'forward pressure front open end 10 of the casing.

imposed upon the bundle or stack 52. The tracks 65 may each comprise a pair of parallel sides with a space between them within which the rollers 64 operate and suitable pieces 73 at the ends ofeach track may limit the movement of the follower in opposite directions. Y

The tracks 65 may be mounted one upon each of the opposite side walls of the machine and their front ends preferably extend for wardly of the open front end 10. The rollers 64 may be mounted upon screws secured in the lateral ends of the frame member 63 and the heads of these screws may be on the out-.

7 5 which may normally hang in a vertical position, as shown in Figure 2. Supporting of the machine upon its back; in this manner and opening the cover or front 12 facilitates ress'ing the articles "top of the machine.

. cover, as before.

loading or introducing the articles or bundle 52 into the. machine,whereupon the cover 12 may be closed and the machine set up on its base 5, for use. The outer si irface of the front or cover 12 may havea space 7 6 for advertising matter or other indicia.

The operation of this embodiment of the I invention is as follows: i

Y VVith-the bundle .52 of sheets or articles 55 placed in the machine, as shown in Figure 2,, the follower 59 compresses the bundle and presses the forwardmost sheet into cooperation with the rollers 25, 28 and 52 of the dispensing mechanism. For the purpose of facilitating the dischargeof the first sheet, the roller 28 maybe provided with an external finger piece 8 (Fig. 1). By grasping the finger piece 78 and turning the shaft 28 in the direction'indicated by the arrow in Fig ur'e 2, the roller 25 will be driven in the opposite direction through the connecting gears and the first napkin will be gathered and-- looped or inovedat7 9 through the outlet- 20- to be conveniently accessible and grasped for withdrawing froni'the machine. This forms a gathering in muchthe manner of picking up a sheet by hand and the user grasps the portion of the sheet gathered through the opening -20 and pulls the same from, the machine, In setting thefirst'sheet for-withdrawal, its loweredge is freed from the roller 25 and the succeeding sheet is most sheet, the frictional engagement between that sheet and the roller 28 creates power the roller 25 through the conneotinggears.

direction which accompanies withdrawal of theoutermost sheet moves the succeeding or next .sheetthrough the opening for with.-

drawal later and the lower part of thethird sheet is brought into cooperation'with the roller'25.- I I The withdrawal of the outermost sheet thus creates power in the dispensing mechanism which moves the succeeding sheet into position for withdrawal.

In'Figure 10, thesheets are stacked vertically in the machine at 80 and are carried by an elevator 82 which is urged upwardly by brought into engagement therewith, as shown i in Fig. 9. Then, by withdrawing the outer-- I which turns said roller 281and in turn drives This rotation of the'roller 25in the opposite a weights 83. The weights 83 are secured upon flexible elements 84 trained over sheaves 85 I andconnected at their opposite ends at 86 to the carrier or elevator 82. a I In this case, the cover 87 is disposed hori zontally and pivoted or hinged at 88 and the outlet or discharge opening 89 is through the V The dispensing mechanism shown'in thisembodiment is substantially the same as inthe preceding"embodiment but in this case, this'dispensing mechanism90 is carried by the casing 91 and not by the In the embodiment of Figures 11 to 14, inelusive the napkins or other articles are stacked vertically at 93 upon a table 91 mount ed upon the upper ends Off upri ht posts .95 carried by the'supporting base 96.

In this case, the pile of articles 93 remains stationary and the cover 97 is carried by the engagement of the dispensing mechanism 98 carried thereby with the top of the stack of articles 93. The cover 97 has guide sleeves .99 guided upon vertical guide posts 100 and as the articles are dispensed or withdrawn from the machine, the cover drops by gravity to maintain proper engagement of the uppermost articles with the dispensing mechanism. The gear mechanism between. the dispensing rollers 101 and 102 is shown at 103 mounted in a lateral pocket 104: in one side of thecover 97.

The outlet or discharge opening indicated at In the embodiment of Figures 15 and 16, the articles 108 are stacked edgewise vertically in the casing 109 with a follower 110 behind them which is pressed forwardly toward the dispensing mechanism 112 by a spring 113. Theoutlet is indicated at 114 and the-supporting base at 115.

In the embodiment of Figures 17, 18 and 19.,

the articles are supported substantially as shown in Figure 12 and the cover 116 drops.

by gravity in substantially the same manner. In this case, however, the outlet is through the side of the cover at 119 and the dispensing rollers 117 and 118 are-provided with sprockets 120 and 121 (Fig. 19)., over which a chain 122 is .trainedvand drivingly connects the roll-- ers.

When the uppermost sheet 123 is withdrawn, it remains in engagement with the roller117 after leaving the roller 118 and the roller 118 engages the succeeding sheet with the roller 117 in engagement with the uppermost sheet. The withdrawing of the sheet turns the roller 11? and this creates power which turns the roller 118 inthe same direction which moves or impels the succeeding sheet partially through. the opening 1.19 to be grasped and withdrawn later.

In Figure .21, I have shown one manner of employing a single roller 130 tor taking the power from the sheetbeing withdrawn and imparting it to the succeeding sheet to "move it into position to be withdrawn. tion of withdrawal of the sheet 132 is indicated by the direction of displacement shown in dottedlines and by arranging the roller 1530 diagonally across the top of the stack when the uppermostsheet 132 is withdrawn partially, for example, to the position shown in dotted lines, the roller 130 will engage-both the uppermost sheet and the succeeding'sheet so that upon being turned by the :uppermost sheet it will in turn, by its frictional engagement with the next sheet, move the same into position for withdrawal from the machine.

In the embodiment of Figures 1"to 9, there jaceut saidv second roller The d-irecmay be a gear reduction between the rollers 1. In a machine 01 the class described, the

combination of a receptacle for a stack of flexible folded sheets, said receptacle having an outlet, pair of dispensing rollers mounted within he receptacle in proximity to said outlet and comprising a first roller located on one side of said outlet and a second roller-located on the o aposite side ofsaid outlet,said rollers having a relatively large space between them to permit a folded sheet'wto be gathered. and looped. loosely through the out i let without bu clrlin'g and withoutadditionally folding the sheet, means for supporting the sheets off-center with respect to said rollers This feature may also be embodied so that in withdrawing the outermost sheet I one margin thereof will leave the second roller to permit said second roller to engage the next succeeding sheet before the other margin of the outermost sheet leaves the first roller whereby said first roller istnrned by engagement with the outermost sheetafter said sheet is freed from the second roller, "and a driving connection between said rollers for looping the edge of the succeeding sheet adout, through said outlet simultaneously with the withdrawal of the opposite edge of the outermost sheet. 2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a receptacle for a stack of flexible folded sheets, said receptacle having an outlet, a pair of dispensing rollers mounted within the receptacle in proximity to said outlet and comprising a first roller located on one side of said outlet and a second roller located on the opposite s de l i outlet, said rollers having a ll .ively space be tween them to permit a folded sheet to be gathered and looped loosely. through the-outlet without buckling and without additionrollers so that in withdrawing the ond roller tonermengage the no: succeeding sheet before the other margin of the outermost sheetleayes the first roller whereby said first roller is turned by engagement with the outermost sheet after said sheet'is freed from the second roller, a'driving connection between said rollers for looping the edge of the succeeding sheet adjacent said second roller out through said outlet simultaneously with the withdrawal of the opposite edge of the outermost sheet, a thirdroller journaled idly on the side of the outlet with saidfirst roller, means for urging the sheets into cooperation with said rollers, said last means comprisin follower means gravitating on an incline track toward said outlet and pressing the artielestoward said rollers, and an equalizer pivoted to said follower and acting upon the articles to impose pressure of said vfollower uniformly thereon. I

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a receptacle for a stack of flexible folded sheets, said receptacle having an outlet,,a pair of dispensing rollers mounted within the receptacle in proximity to said outlet and comprising a first roller located on one side of said out-let and a second.

roller located on the opposite side of said outlet, said rollers having a relatively'large space between them to permit a folded sheet to be gathered and looped loosely through the outlet without buckling and without additionally folding the sheet, means for supporting the sheets off center withrespeet to said rollers that in withdrawing the outermost sheetone margin thereof will leave the second roller to permit said second roller to engage the next succeeding sheet before the other margin of the outermost sheet leaves the first roller whereby said first roller is turned by engagement with the outermost sheet after said sheet is freed from the second roller, a driving connection between said rollers'for looping the edge of the succeeding sheet adjacent said second roller out through said outlet simultaneously with the withdrawal of the opposite edge of the outermost sheet, a third roller journaled idly on the side of the outlet with said first roller, means for urging the sheets into cooperation with said rollers, said receptacle comprising a casing having a removable cover, said first, second and third rollers being carried by the cover and removable and replaceable as a unit therewith, said last means comprising follower means gravitating on an inclined track toward said outlet and pressing the articlestoward said rollers, an equalizer pivoted to said follower and acting upon the articles to impose pressure of said follower uniformly thereon, and a leg pivoted to said back and adapted for supporting said casing on its back with the open side thereof upwardly disposed for loading the machine.

4. In a machine of the class described, the

combination of a receptacle for a stack of flexible folded sheets, said receptacle having an outlet, a pair of dispensing rollers mounted within the receptacle in proximity to said outlet and comprising, a first roller located on one side of said outlet and a second roller located on the opposite side of said outlet, said rollers having a relatively large space between them to permit a folded sheet to be most sheet one margin thereof will leave the second roller to permit said second roller to engage the next succeeding sheet before the other margin of the outermostsheet leaves the first roller whereby said first roller is turned by engagement with the outermost sheet after said sheet is freed from the second roller, a driving connection between said rollersfor looping the edge of the succeeding sheet adjacent said second roller out through said outlet simultaneously with the withdrawal of the opposite edge of the outermost sheet, a third roller journaled idly on the side of the outlet with said first roller, means for urging the sheets into cooperation with said rollers, said receptacle comprising a casing having a removable cover, said first, second and third. rollers being carried by the cover and removable and replaceable as a unit therewith, said last means comprising follower means gravitating on an inclined track toward said outlet and pressing the articles toward said rollers, an equalizer pivoted to said follower and acting upon the articles to impose pressure of said follower uniformly thereon, a leg pivoted to said back and adapted for supportingsaid casing on its back with the open side thereof upwardly disposed for loading the machine, a hinge connection between the cover and the casing, and a spring arm secured to the casing and provided with a pin engageable in an aperture in the cover to latch said cover in closed position.

' In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 2nd day of January, 1926. RAYMOND C. PRATT. 

